The striking puncture in the earth is believed to be up to 80 metres wide but its depth is not estimated yet. A scientific team has been sent to investigate the hole and is due to arrive at the scene on Wednesday.

The cause of its sudden appearance in Yamal … is not yet known, though one scientific claim is that global warming may be to blame. … The giant hole appeared close to a forest some 30 kilometres from Yamal’s biggest gas field Bovanenkovo. Experts are confident that a scientific explanation will be found for it and that it is not – as one web claim suggested – evidence ‘of the arrival of a UFO craft’ to the planet.

It could also have been caused by a meteor strike that went undetected and it’s depth the result of collapsed rock beneath the hole.

Whatever caused it, it’s bound to be interesting and possibly telling of what lies ahead as our Earth changes more and more from global warming (see gallery below), which will cause much of the permafrost to disappear.

As NPR summarized:

The crater is in an area that “is one of the most geologically young places on Earth,” reports the From Quarks to Quasars blog. “It also happens to be extremely rich in gas. In fact, it contains the largest natural gas reservoir in all of Russia. … In places with such large concentrations of gas, it’s not unusual for underground explosions to rocket off. They occur only when under-soil ice melts and releases a substantial amount of gas.”

Video of the crater that has more than 1.5 million views so far …

Photo: National Climate Assessment

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<p> <a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/our-changing-climate/observed-change target=new> Global annual average temperature has risen over 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit since 1880. The black line represents atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) in parts per million. </a> </p>
<p>That may seem like an insignificant amount, but when you look at the big picture it makes a massive difference. Sea levels are rising due to melting glaciers and ice around the world, water vapor in the atmosphere is increasing because the warmer atmosphere can hold more water, etc.</p> less

<p> <a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/our-changing-climate/observed-change target=new> Global annual average temperature has risen over 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit since 1880. The black line represents ... more

Photo: National Climate Assessment

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Human produced carbon dioxide is absorbed by our oceans and mixes with the seawater to create carbonic acid, negatively impacting marine life. <a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/our-changing-climate/ocean-acidification target=new>Because of this, the oceans have become 30 percent more acidic since the industrial revolution. By 2100 the oceans could be 150 percent more acidic.</a> less

Human produced carbon dioxide is absorbed by our oceans and mixes with the seawater to create carbonic acid, negatively impacting marine life. <a ... more

Photo: uemii / Getty Images/Flickr RF

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<a href=http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2014/19may_elnino/ target=new>High temperatures of the ocean’s surface are leading Meteorologists to prepare for a harsh El Nino year that is being compared to 1997 in terms of potential damage. </a> According to a study done in 2013, El Nino events get stronger with atmospheric carbon, meaning that because of massive human emissions, this year could be the worst yet. less

<a href=http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2014/19may_elnino/ target=new>High temperatures of the ocean’s surface are leading Meteorologists to prepare for a harsh El Nino year that is ... more

Photo: NASA

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<p>The consequences of climate change are already in effect. The faster the climate is change by humans the harder it will be for society and nature to adapt. Today’s society is built think that the future climate will be like the past, but we can now see that won’t be the case.</p>
<a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/appendices/faqs target=new>via the NCA 2014 FAQ</a> less

<p>The consequences of climate change are already in effect. The faster the climate is change by humans the harder it will be for society and nature to adapt. Today’s society is built think that the future ... more

Photo: fStop Images - Julia Christe / Getty Images/Brand X

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Natural climate patterns cannot explain the recent trends we have seen in global climate change. <a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/our-changing-climate/observed-change target=new>According to the National Climate Assessment,</a> if humans had no impact for the past 50 years, natural factors would have cooled the planet. less

Natural climate patterns cannot explain the recent trends we have seen in global climate change. <a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/our-changing-climate/observed-change target=new>According to the ... more

Photo: National Climate Assessment

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<a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/our-changing-climate/sea-level-rise target=new>Earth’s oceans absorb 90 percent of the heat trapped in the atmosphere by the greenhouse effect. </a> The heat absorbed warms and expands the water causing sea levels to rise. This expansion is responsible for about 40 percent of the rise in sea levels. The other 60 percent is due to the melting of glaciers and ice sheets. less

<a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/our-changing-climate/sea-level-rise target=new>Earth’s oceans absorb 90 percent of the heat trapped in the atmosphere by the greenhouse effect. </a> The heat ... more

Photo: National Climate Assessment

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<a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/our-changing-climate/observed-change target=new>Evidence found by reconstructing past climates by using ice cores, tree rings, and coral, shows that the first decade of the 2000s was the warmer than any time in the past 1300 years.</a> less

<a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/our-changing-climate/observed-change target=new>Evidence found by reconstructing past climates by using ice cores, tree rings, and coral, shows that the first ... more

Photo: Pete Saloutos / Getty Images/Image Source

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<a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/our-changing-climate/future-climate-change taget=new>In order to cap the global temperature increase at 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit, human caused emissions would have to drop by at least 70 percent by 2050 and there would need to be overall negative emissions by 2100. </a> less

<a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/our-changing-climate/future-climate-change taget=new>In order to cap the global temperature increase at 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit, human caused emissions would have ... more

Photo: National Climate Assessment

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Heat waves have become more common in recent years and the severity of the heat waves is influenced by human activity. The probability for record breaking temperatures and heat waves will only increase as the climate warms. <a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/our-changing-climate/extreme-weather target=new>The drought over the past decade has led to the western U.S. being in its driest state in 800 years. </a> less

Heat waves have become more common in recent years and the severity of the heat waves is influenced by human activity. The probability for record breaking temperatures and heat waves will only increase as the ... more

Photo: National Climate Assessment

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Research in global sea levels has shown that the recent increase has raised sea levels more than any time in the past 2000 years. <a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/our-changing-climate/sea-level-rise target=new>Since 1992, the rate of sea level rise has been double the rate of the previous century.</a> less

Research in global sea levels has shown that the recent increase has raised sea levels more than any time in the past 2000 years. <a ... more

Photo: John Lund / Getty Images/Blend Images

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<a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/our-changing-climate/sea-level-rise>Projections for the future of sea level rise estimate about 11 inches by 2100,</a> and that’s without taking into account Antarctica’s ice loss, which has recently been deemed irreversible and would add another 13 feet over the next 1000 years. less

<a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/our-changing-climate/sea-level-rise>Projections for the future of sea level rise estimate about 11 inches by 2100,</a> and that’s without taking into account ... more

<a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/our-changing-climate/recent-us-temperature-trends>Alaska’s temperatures have increased double the national average since 1949.</a> Glaciers and permafrost are melting leaving the state more exposed to storms as well as destabilizing the state’s infrastructure. less

<a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/our-changing-climate/recent-us-temperature-trends>Alaska’s temperatures have increased double the national average since 1949.</a> Glaciers and permafrost are ... more

Photo: Carlos Rojas / Getty Images/Flickr RF

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<a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/our-changing-climate/future-climate-change target=new>Precipitation is projected to become more intense but to occur less often. </a> Dry regions like the southwest U.S are expected to become drier, while areas like Washington State will receive more intense downpour. less

<a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/our-changing-climate/future-climate-change target=new>Precipitation is projected to become more intense but to occur less often. </a> Dry regions like the ... more

Photo: National Climate Assessment

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Losing so much sea ice every year in the Arctic can lead to an unstoppable transition into a new type of climate. <a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/our-changing-climate/future-climate-change target=new>If the rapid ice loss of the Arctic continues it could shift into a nearly iceless state during the summer months,</a> significantly affecting climate beyond just the Arctic. less

Losing so much sea ice every year in the Arctic can lead to an unstoppable transition into a new type of climate. <a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/our-changing-climate/future-climate-change ... more

Photo: Peter Orr Photography / Getty Images/Flickr RF

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If humans continue to increase emissions of heat trapping gasses, the average U.S. air temperature will surpass 11 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100. <a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/appendices/faqs target=new>According to the National Climate Assessment FAQ, a temperature increase like that would reshape human society in ways we can’t even think of.</a> less

If humans continue to increase emissions of heat trapping gasses, the average U.S. air temperature will surpass 11 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100. <a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/appendices/faqs ... more

Photo: John Livzey / Getty Images

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<p>Oceans becoming warmer can also mean the end for some marine life. Coral produce nourishing algae when water temperatures rise and if the water remains too warm they will die.</p>
<a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/appendices/faqs target=new>via the NCA 2014 FAQ</a> less

<p>Oceans becoming warmer can also mean the end for some marine life. Coral produce nourishing algae when water temperatures rise and if the water remains too warm they will die.</p>
<a ... more

Photo: Raimundo Fernandez Diez / Getty Images/Flickr RF

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Increases in ground level ozone can lead to human health concerns. <a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/highlights/overview/overview#narrative-page-20887 target=new>Increased CO2 can spur plant based allergen production which would lead to higher pollen concentrations and longer allergy seasons.</a> This means increased asthma episodes, allergic reactions, and diminished lung function. less

Increases in ground level ozone can lead to human health concerns. <a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/highlights/overview/overview#narrative-page-20887 target=new>Increased CO2 can spur plant based ... more

Photo: Gustavo Miranda Holley / Getty Images/Flickr RF

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<a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/sectors/agriculture#narrative-page-16376 target=new>Climate change threatens the production of food as well.</a> With changes in rainfall patterns, more severe weather events, and more weeds and pests, crop yields will decline. Food prices will rise as production rates decline. less

<a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/sectors/agriculture#narrative-page-16376 target=new>Climate change threatens the production of food as well.</a> With changes in rainfall patterns, more severe ... more

Photo: Tom Merton / Getty Images/OJO Images RF

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<p>The youngest and oldest members of our society are the most at risk from climate change. Air pollution, infections, and trauma can all contribute to negative health effects. People of old age are also at high risk during heat waves.</p>
<a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/appendices/faqs target=new>via the NCA 2014 FAQ</a> less

<p>The youngest and oldest members of our society are the most at risk from climate change. Air pollution, infections, and trauma can all contribute to negative health effects. People of old age are also at ... more

Photo: David Leahy / Getty Images

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<p>The Earth has seen incredible changes in climate throughout its existence, but the current climate change is different because it is being caused by humans and it is changing faster than the earth has changed due to natural causes. The observed rate of warming over the past 50 years is eight times faster than the last glacial maximum to warm interglacial period.</p>
<a href=http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/appendices/faqs target=new>via the NCA 2014 FAQ</a> less

<p>The Earth has seen incredible changes in climate throughout its existence, but the current climate change is different because it is being caused by humans and it is changing faster than the earth has ... more

Photo: Eduardo Arraes / Getty Images/Flickr RF

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Giant mystery crater in Siberia has scientists stumped, but they're looking into it